St. Ignatius of Loyola

One day, a farmer was walking near his orchard. He was proud of the tall fence he had built, certain that no animal could ever enter.

“The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God’s giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.” — St. Nicholas of Myra

In a historic moment for women religious, two congregations founded on the vision of the Englishwoman Mary Ward, the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBVM), popularly known as the ‘Loreto Sisters,’ and the Congregation of Jesus (CJ), formally united on November 4, 2025, bringing to completion a journey that began more than four centuries ago.

The story of the poor village girl is our story. Like her, our identity is transformed before our circumstances change. We may not yet step into the heavenly mansion, but the wedding feast of the Lamb awaits us.

On July 31, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus.

The Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius’s month-long retreat program, guides people through meditations on failure, forgiveness, and the life of Jesus.